The undergraduate biochemistry curriculum is designed to provide a solid background in chemistry and the physical sciences, as well as in the biological sciences. Consequently, biochemistry is an especially versatile major giving undergraduates many options when they complete their BS degree. A biochemistry major provides a strong background for entering graduate school in a variety of fields, and the majority of biochemistry majors go on to graduate school or to professional schools such as medicine, veterinary medicine or dentistry. Biochemistry majors excel in biomedical professional schools because of their strong background in the basic sciences. In addition, a wide variety of job opportunities is open to biochemistry majors with a BS degree. Many find rewarding careers working in laboratories as research scientists, forensic scientists and technicians in clinical, governmental and university laboratories. Biochemists are also employed by diverse companies in the chemical, pharmaceutical, agricultural, food and scientific equipment industries.

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Must make a grade of C or better.

²

To be selected from the University Core Curriculum. Of the 21 hours shown as University Core Curriculum electives, 3 must be from language, philosophy and culture, 3 from creative arts, 3 from social and behavioral sciences, 6 from American history, 6 from POLS 206 and POLS 207. The graduation requirements include a requirement for 3 hours of International and Cultural Diversity courses and 3 hours of Cultural Discourse courses which may be met by courses satisfying the Core Curriculum requirements if they are also on the approved list of international and cultural diversity courses.

³

Select from any course 100-499 not used elsewhere (except BICH 303, BICH 410-412; MATH 100-104, 131-148). Often used for a minor. Students intending to pursue an advanced degree in biochemistry are strongly encouraged to use some free electives for additional upper division courses in BICH, GENE, BIOL, CHEM, MATH or STAT. 

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The fourth registered hour of research must be taken as writing intensive.

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Hours to be selected from any 400-level course in Biochemistry with approval of student’s academic advisor. BICH 404, BICH 414, BICH 431/GENE 431, BICH 432/GENE 432, BICH 440, BICH 441, or BICH 491 may not be used to satisfy this requirement.